A family of four were lucky to escape a caravan blaze but lost their pet dog which was overcome by fumes.

The drama unfolded around 5am yesterday morning when neighbouring caravanners spotted a static caravan on fire.

Donald Williams, site manager at Owen’s caravan park, Towyn, near Abergele, said the caravan’s owners, a family from North West England were “fortunate” to have escaped unhurt.

He said they were “upset” after the loss of their dog.

It was not known how the fire had started but it was believed it may have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

Mr Williams said: “It happened on the caravan park here. It happened in the early hours of the morning. We’re not absolutely sure when it started but the Fire Brigade were here by about 5.20am. They dealt with the blaze and extinguished it.

“The owners of the caravan were in the caravan and they escaped unhurt fortunately.

“It’s a possibility it could have been started by cigarettes. I can’t confirm that.

“What’s happened is that some people were awoken in an adjacent caravan and saw what was happening and went and awoke the occupants up so there was assistance to get the people out.”

Mr Williams said the fire could be seen from the main road. He said the fire service were there quickly.

Mr Williams said: “I think the owners had a dog in the caravan. It was overcome presumably by smoke from the fire. They are very sad about that. I don’t know any details. I know the people are upset.”

Insurers were expected to inspect what was left of the caravan.

Mr Williams said there was no risk of the fire spreading because the caravans were not close to each other at the site which holds 270 caravans.

The family have now gone elsewhere, he said, adding: “They have been here a few years.”

Mr Williams said: “We are very grateful for the prompt attention of the fire service and the professional manner they dealt with it and grateful to the people here on the site who alerted the occupants. We are relieved that they got out safely.”

A North Wales fire service spokesman said fire crews from Rhyl and Abergele used three hose reels and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.